Using Microsoft Windows to Backup to an External Hard Drive Why reinvent the wheel or waste money on 3rd party backup software when Microsofts default backup program works well to an external hard drive. You can even backup the files stored on Google Drive, protecting your data twice, to be sure, to be sure. Windows 10 Backup Select the Start​  button, select Settings  > Update & security  > Backup  > Add a drive, and then choose an external drive or network location for your backups. All set. Every hour, we’ll back up everything in your user folder (C:\Users\username). To change which files get backed up or how often backups happen, go to More options. Windows 7 and earlier Backup Goto start-> Control Panel and select “Backup Your Computer” under “System and Security”     Just by plugging in your backup device you may get prompted to “use this drive for backup” but if you do not, use the backup options from control panel as detailed above Select the backup drive you want to backup TO (usually E: F: or higher) ….NOT C: Allow Microsoft to choose what to backup if you only have a small hard drive (40/80/160 MB) and a big external drive such 1TB or 2TB. Otherwise select “Let Me Choose“.   Click on “Setup Backup” to choose the files you wish to backup if you are being selective. You need to select “Document Library” , “Pictures Library” and “Music Library” as a minimum plus “Video Library” if you have sufficient disk space on your backup drive. If you wish to backup your google drive data, you can locate it under C: -> users -> Your Name -> Google Drive . make sure just the “Google drive” checkbox is selected so as not to backup all those other unnecessary files. Now you have your files selected, you now need to tell backup when to work automatically. Microsoft backup default to every Sunday night at 7pm. Change this to “Daily” and a time when you know the computer will be switched on.   You should now see your backup in progress click on “View Details” to see the files being copied or press the “Backup Now” button to start the backup at anytime Related Posts and Articles Top 6 checks to make sure your computer is protected from Viruses and Malware How to use Microsoft’s default program to backup to an external device or hard drive Beware of scam emails about downloading Windows 10 Opening an email from Australia Post has had 3 clients in 3 days lose ALL their data to the CRYPTOLOCKER virus How to avoid Computer Viruses – Stop using Bing https://www.itguyswa.com.au/your-apple-mac-has-a-virus-this-is-not-a-joke/ Prevent viruses by not allowing others to use your computer account https://www.itguyswa.com.au/windows-8-users-open-to-adobe-reader-viruses/ How can I tell if my computer has a virus? https://www.itguyswa.com.au/how-to-remove-the-dosearches-search-virus/ How to remove the “Snap-Do” search virus Australian Federal Police virus scam Antivirus Security Pro is a SCAM – Here is how to remove it. How to remove 99% of computer viruses, malware and adware for FREE :jk: